Date: 13 Dec 2009 Sunday
06:25 AM Hilton San Francisco Union Square Lobby Exit to O’Farrell Street
We woke up extremely early in the morning for our Gray Line Yosemite National Park (pronounced as yoe-sem-it-ee) Day Tour.
Had our breakfast from Starbucks Coffee Cafe.
My Cappuccino
We were brought to Gray Line Tour Office at Pier 43½, Fisherman’s Wharf, for our tour payment. We had a $25 discount with the Go San Francisco Card.
07:05 AM On the way
There were only 10 people (including us) in our tour group.
Oakland Bay Bridge
I was so sleepy…
We went across the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge
A big rainbow!
Gloomy day due to the cold and wet weather.
08:40 AM Breakfast Break at Central Valley
Another round of breakfast for us! We shared a meal from Jack in the Box.
Back onto our coach
Curly fries
Our Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger. It was difficult to take a proper photo using the heavy camera with one hand.
10:45 AM Mariposa
Passing by Mariposa town.
11:50 AM Snow Chains
Our driver fixing snow chains to the tires of the coach. The snow chains are to provide superior traction when driving through snow and ice.
Almost there…
Finally done!
12:00 PM Continued On
Photos taken from the bus:
Everywhere covered in snow.
Look, a deer!
Took another scenery break. I have no idea what’s the name of the waterfall.
Half Dome is here, hiding somewhere…
12:45 PM
We were dropped off at Yosemite Visitor Parking and were told to assemble at the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls at around 16:15 PM.
We took the Yosemite Valley Shuttle Bus over to Yosemite Visitor Center.
Everywhere was covered in snow and icy water. Soon, our shoes were soaked with the icy water and we were freezing! I couldn’t even feel my feet especially my toes after sometime.
12:50 PM Yosemite Museum
The Yosemite Museum is located in Yosemite Village next to the Valley Visitor Center.
We proceed on to the Village Store.
13:20 PM Village Store
JR got interested with the Black Bear of Yosemite…
We left the Village Store and went outdoor.
Spotted a deer…
This time, the deer was just 2 meters away from us. I didn’t dare to walk up too close to it.
14:00 PM Yosemite Valley Shuttle Bus Ride
We got tired and cold from all the walking hence decided to hop onto the Yosemite Valley Shuttle Bus to tour around Yosemite Valley.
The Shuttle Bus station
Snowman
Photos taken from the Shuttle Bus:
14:55 PM Yosemite Lodge at the Falls
15:00 PM Lunch Time
Most stall were closed at this odd time. To satisfy our hungry stomachs, we grabbed something simple.
Chili Con Carne- It looked disgusting but it was yummy. I was still craving for another round of Chili Con the next day.
Ham Sandwich
Cowboy hat
That’s the back view of our driver. He is an extremely tall man.
16:10 PM Heading Back to San Francisco
18:45 PM Dinner
打包 our meals from Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits
My Chicken burger
20:55 PM Back to San Francisco
It was past 9 PM when we returned to our hotel. It had been a long and tiring day.